GDB 34.0: Toronto Blue Jays look to build after snapping losing skid
By Zach Laing
4 months agoFriday night was just what the doctor ordered for the Toronto Blue Jays.
They got out to a 1-0 lead off a Vladimir Guerreo Jr. single, and behind a strong pitching performance from Chris Bassitt, they never looked back. Some tremendous base running from Whit Merrifield caused havoc for the Pirates all night allowing Daulton Varsho to drive him in off a double, and a two-run George Springer dinger capped off the scoring in the top of the fifth.
The Jays are looking to build off that 4-0 performance as Jose Berrios takes the mound this evening opposite Johan Oveido. Berrios, like the entire pitching staff, seriously struggled against the Boston Red Sox last week. He himself lasted just 5 1/3 innings allowing 11 hits and two home runs — both season-highs — along with five earned runs.
Berrios had been looking strong with some good starts against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Houston Astros and the Chicago White Sox, so let’s see if he can get himself back on track.
The offence, meanwhile, will look to continue to build, themselves. They continue to hover just above league average in terms of runs scored, batting average, on-base percentage and slugging, but it still feels we’re still waiting for them to truly find their stride.
First pitch: 6:35 p.m. EST
Weather: 22C. 4 MPH NE winds. (RotoGrinders)
The teams:
Toronto Blue Jays: 19-14, 8.0 GB, – WCGB. +5 DIFF
Pittsburgh Pirates: 20-13, – GB, – WCGB. +33 DIFF
Moneyline: TOR -143; PIT +122.
Starting pitchers:
TOR: Jose Berrios RHP — 3-2, 5.29 ERA, 1.294 WHIP, 9.0 K9
PIT: Johan Oviedo RHP — 2-2, 4.78 ERA, 1.469 WHIP, 8.4 K9
Lineups:
Blue Jays
- G Springer (R) RF
- B Bichette (R) SS
- V Guerrero Jr. (R) DH
- M Chapman (R) 3B
- D Varsho (L) LF
- W Merrifield (R) 2B
- A Kirk (R) C
- B Belt (L) 1B
- K Kiermaier (L) CF
Pirates
- T Marcano (L) SS
- B Reynolds (S) LF
- C Joe (R) 1B
- C Santana (S) DH
- J Suwinski (L) CF
- K Hayes (R) 3B
- M Andujar (R) RF
- R Castro (S) 2B
- A Hedges (R) C
Need to bide the time until first pitch?
Tune into the latest edition of Blue Jays Nation Radio as the crew talks about the Jays’ latest series against the Boston Red Sox.
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